Time Management Tips to Get Organized

What can you do in the time it takes popcorn to pop? In short: a lot. Learn how to reclaim the time you spend waiting, whether at home or on-the-go.

By Jennifer Haupt
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Let's face it: We all put off organizing our homes, purses, cars and lives because we don't think we have time. "Once you start looking at all the time you spend waiting for this or that, the minutes really add up," says Donna Smallin, author of The One-Minute Organizer. Put those wasted minutes to work, she says; even just five minutes a day adds up to seven hours a month — plenty of time for organization.

While you're playing the waiting game, try out these quick and practical organizing tips:

While popcorn is popping
3 minutes in the kitchen


  • Organize the day's mail — toss the outer envelopes and inserts in bill statements along with junk mail.

  • Organize a drawer — if there's not a lid for a container, toss it.

  • Be brave as you open the fridge to play "leftover roulette," popping open mystery containers to see what's still edible, suggests Smallin. Also, check out the expiration dates on condiments and half-full jars of spaghetti sauce.

  • Rifle through that overflowing coupon box and toss the expired ones. Then, file new ones by category and by date.

  • Take out the trash, and make sure the recyclables are in order.

  • Empty or load the dishwasher — wipe down a shelf while you're at it.